Typographical distributing machine



Dec. 15, 1925- D. 5. KENNEDY TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING MACHINE Filed F eb. 2; 1925 IEVENTOR Y ATTOR EYS Patented Dec. 15,1925.

UNITED srarss PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID s. KENNEDY, or BROOKLYN, NEW YoRK, ASSIGNOR To MERGENTHALER Lino- TYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

Application filed February 2, 1925.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, DAVID S. KENNEDY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York,- have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Typogra Jhical Distributing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to typographical. distributing machines, such as linotype machines of the general organization represent ed in U. S. Letters Patent to O. Mergenthaler, No. 486,532, wherein circulating matrices, are released from a magazine in the order in which their characters are to appear .in print and then assembled in line, the composed line transferred to the face of a mold, the mold filled with molten metal to form a slug or linotype against the matrices which produce the type characters thereon, and the matrices thereafter returned through a distributing mechanism to the magazine from which they started. In some machines, such as the commercial model 9, where matrices may be drawn from several magazines and mixed together in the sameline, the distributing mechanism includes a primary distributor which first sorts the matrices according to font, and a plurality of main distributors which sort the matrices of the individual fonts according to character and restore them to their proper channels in the magazines. With this type of distributing mechanism, the matrices, after font separation, pass down chutes or tubes and enter so-called lower distributor boxes, from which they are fed one at a time to the main distributors under the control of reciprocating pawls or escapements. In order that these pawls or escapements may cooperate properly with the matrices, the latter are provided in their bottom edges with central notches, which necessarily vary in shape and depth according to the thickness of'the individual matrices. Besides adding to the cost of production, such notches in the. matrices materially limit the space ordinarily required for the regular font notches, and

Serial No. 6,171.

moreover, seriously weaken the matrices, especially when the latter are formed with other necessary cuts or notches. Furthermore, matrices comprising fonts used on other machines, such as those of the single distributor class, are excluded from use on machines of the multiple distributor class described, since they do not have the required central notches.

The present invention is intended to obviate the foregoing difficulties and contemplates certain improvements whereby the distributing mechanism may receive and handle matrices of all fonts whether they have or have not the objectionable central notches referred to. To this end, specifically, each of the lower distributor boxes is provided with shoulders to arrest the matrices at an inclination within the same and with a reciprocating finger to lift them at such inclination successively above said shoulders, so that the force of gravity may be utilized to permit the escape of the released matrices, one at a time, into position to be picked up by the distributor screws, the box also being provided with short inclined surfaces down which the matrices slide to the pick-up position and with overlying fingers to cooperate with the lifted matrices to aid them in as suming an upright position in descending the inclined surfaces.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention has been shown merely in preferred form and by way of example and as applied to the specific type of distributing mechanism indicated. However, many changes and variations may be made therein and in its mode of application, which will still be comprised within its spirit. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment except is so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a lower distributor box constructed in accordance with this invention, certain parts being broken away to show the interior construction;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section, taken on line 2--2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the improved box, with the side plate removed, showing a matrix lifted above the arresting shoulders; and

Fig. i is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the different positions a matrix assumes during its'escape to the pick-up position.

The matrices X are released by the primary distributor (not shown) and enter one or another of the lower distributor boxes A, wherein they are guided and sustained by their projecting ears 00 upon upper and lower inclined rails A, A Each box is associated with a distributor, which comprises the usual longitudinally ribbed bar B and the set ofrmatrix conveying screws B the arrangement being such that, as the matrices escape from the box to the pick upposition, they will be immediately advanced by the screws across the horizontal rail extensions A into engagement with the bar B and thence along the same until finally released above their respective magazine channels. The foregoing parts and their mode of operation, except as hereinafter pointed out, are or may be of any approved construction or as embodied in thecommercial model 9 linotype.

According to the present invention, each lower distributor box A is provided with an escapement mechanism which serves the purpose of properlycontrolling the delivery of matrices one at a time to the distributor screws, whether the matrices have or have not the special notches referred to. As shown in Fig. 1, matrices passing from the chute G are straightened up in the usual way at X so that their projecting ears a: will properly engage the upper and lower guide rails A A down which the matrices slide by gravity until stopped by the engagement of their projecting ears with shoulders A formed on the upper rails A and corresponding shoulders A formed on the lower rails A'-. As shown, the shoulders A of the upper rails are disposed in such relation to the shoulders A of the lower rails that a matrix will be arrested, as intended, at a forward inclination and slightly in advance of the pick-up ends 13 of the screw threads. A lifting finger C, mounted to reciprocate within the box and actuated through the usual connections from a cam or eccentric stud B on one of the screws B, is employed to lift the matrices successively above the arresting shoulders A*, A so as to permit their escape by gravity down short inclined surfaces A formed on the guide rails and leading to the pick-up position. The finger C is spring-controlled and arranged to lift an arrested matrix in its own plane, being guided by a transverse pin C so that its purchase on the bottom edge of said matrix will be maintained throughout its upward stroke. It is pointed out that by arresting a matrix at an inclination, such as that indicated, its upper projecting ears will pass by gravity over the shoulders A when it is lifted (see 3) and thus be in posi tion to descend the inclined surfaces A when the lifting finger recedes. These inclined surfaces extend from the tops of the arresting shoulders to the rail extensions A and hence direct the escaping matrix into position to be picked up by the leading ends B of the conveying screws. VVit-h this arrangement, through the proximity of the arresting shoulders to the receiving ends of the screws and the consequent short space an escaping matrix travels to the pick-up position, the timing of its delivery may be accurately determined and the screws set accordingly. Moreover, any piling up of the matrices within the box will not interfere with their proper distribution since the lifting finger acts to release the matrices, one at a time only, in feeding them to the screws. In this connection it may be noted that the screws are recessed or cut away at their receiving ends, as at B, to give a released matrix more room and time to reach the pick-up position before it is engaged by the leading ends B of the screw-threads.

It is desirable that an escaping matrix enter the screws in an upright or vertical position so that both the upper and lower ears 0: will be engaged at the same time by the leading 01' pick-up ends 13 of the screwthreads. Accordingly, there is provided a pair of fingers A" fastened on opposite sides of the box casing and arranged to cooperate with the upper projecting ears of a lifted matrix and aid it in assuming an upright position preparatory to its escape to the screws. The matrix is thus not only prevented from tilting too far forwardly as its ears rise clear of the shoulders A*, but it is also restrained from sliding too quickly down the inclined surfaces A or before it has had time to straighten up. In other words (see Fig. 4), as the lifting finger O recedes, the matrix lifted thereby will be momentarily suspended by its upper proecting ears upon the tops of shoulders A and swing from the inclined position X to the vertical position Y the relation of said shoulders to the fingers A being such that the restraining influence of the latter is broken as the matrix reaches the vertical position Y when it is free to pass straight down the inclined surfaces A to the pickup position. It may be noted that the lower edges of the upper guide rails A are notched at A to provide requisite room for the lower projecting ears as the lifted matrix swings from one position to the other, the forward walls A of the notches A shoulders A of the lower rails A are made considerably shorter than the shoulders A of the upper rails'A so as to be out of the path of the escaping matrices.

In carrying out the present invention, means are also provided to prevent more than one matrix being lifted at a time by the reciprocating finger C, when for any reason, the matrices pile up in the distributor box. In the present instance, such means comprises a separator blade D so formed and arranged that the matrices, although arrested at an inclination, will be separated in the manner required; As in the case of the ordinary separator blade, the forward edge, of the blade D is set slightly ahead of the arresting shoulders A, or a distance determined by the thickness of the thinnest matrix, the matrices of greater thickness being provided with central, vertical cuts or slots 12 to clear the blade as they are lifted.

Having thus described my invention, its construction, and mode of operation, what I claim and desire" to secure by Letters Pat ent of the United States is as follows 1. In a typographical distributing mechanism, comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of a distributor box through which the matricespass facewise by gravity, means for arresting the matrices at a forward inclination within the box, and means for releasing the arrested matrices one at a time to permite their escape by gravity into position to be picked up by the screws.

2. In a typographical distributing mecha nism, comprising a distributor bar anda set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of a distributor box through which the matrices pass facewise by gravity, means for arresting the matrices at a forward inclination within the box, means for releasing the arrested matrices one at a time to permit their escape by gravity into position to be picked up by the screws, and inclined surfaces arranged to directthe released matrices to the pick-up position.

3. In a typographical distributing mechanism, comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of a distributor box through which the matrices pass facewise by gravity, shoulders for arresting the matrices at a forward i11- clination within the box, a reciprocating finger for lifting the matrices endwise successively above the shoulders so that they may escape by gravity into position to be picked up by the screws, and inclined surfaces leading from the arresting shoulders and down which the released matrices pass to the pick-up position.

4:. In a typographical distributing mechanism, comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of a distributor box through which the matrices pass facewise by gravity, upper and lower guide rails formed with shoulders arranged to engage the projecting cars of the matrices and arrest the latter at a forward inclination within the box, and a reciprocating finger for lifting the matrices endwise successively above the shoulders so that they may escape by gravity into position to be picked up by the screws.

5. In a typographical distributing mecha nism, comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combiuation of a distribut r box through which the matrices pass faceu ise by gravity, upper and lower guide rails formed with shoulders arranged to engage the projecting ears of the matrices and arrest the latter at a forward inclination within the box, and a reciprocating finger for lifting the matrices endwise successively above the shoulders so that they may escape by gravity into position to be picked up by the screws, the said guide rails being also provided with inclined surfaces leading from the arresting shoulders and down which the released matrices pass to the pick-up position.

6. In a typographical distributing mechanism, comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of a distributor box througl'iwhich the matrices pass facewise by gravity, shoulders for arresting the matrices at a forward inclination within the box, and a reciprocating finger arranged to lift the arrested mat rices endwise successively in their own plane above said shoulders so that they may escape by gravity into position to be picked up by the screws.

7. In a typographical distributing mechanism, comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of a distributor box through which the. matrices pass by gravity, shoulders for arresting the matrices at an inclination within the box, a reciprocating finger for lifting the matrices successively above the shoulders so that they may escape by gravity into position to be picked up by the screws, and a separator blade arranged to cooperate with the arrested matrices so as to prevent more than one matrix being lifted at a time.

8. In a typographical distributing mechanism, comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of a distributor box through which the matrices pass facewise by gravity, means for arresting the matrices at a forward inclination within the box, means for releasing the arrested mat-rices one at a time to permit their escape by gravity into position to be picked up by the screws, and means cooperating with the released matrices to aid them in assuming an upright position before reaching the pick-up position.

9. In a typographical distributing mechanism, comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of a distributor box through which the matrices pass by gravity, shoulders for arresting the matrices at an inclination within the box, a reciprocating finger for lifting the matrices successively above the shoulders so that they may escape by gravity into posi tion to be picked up by the screws, inclined surfaces leading from the arresting shoulders and down which the released matrices pass to the pick-up position, and lingers arranged to cooperate with the projecting ears of the lifted matrices to aid them in assuming an upright position in descending the inclined surfaces.

10. In a typographical distributing mechanism, comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combina tion of a distributor box through which the matrices pass by gravity, upper and lower guide rails formed with shoulders for arresting the matrices at an inclination within the box, and a reciprocating linger for l1fting the matrices successively above the shoulders, the arresting shoulders of the upper rails being longer than those of the lower rails for the purpose described.

11. In a typographical distributing mechanism, comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combina tion of a distributor box through which the matrices pass facewise by gravity, and means for arresting the matrices at a forward inclination within the box and for releasing the arrested matrices one at a time to permit their escape by gravity into position to be picked up by the screws.

12. In a typographical distributing mechanism, the combination of a distributor bar, a set of matrix conveying screws, guide means along which the matrices pass by gravity to the screws, said guide means being adapted to support a plurality of matrices in facewise contact, and means for arresting the matrices at an inclination at a point in advance of the screws and for releasing the arrested matrices one at a time to permit their escape by gravity into posi-- tion to be picked up by the screws.

13. In a typographical distributing mechanism, the combination of a distributor bar, a set of matrix conveying screws, guide rails along which the matrices pass facewise by gravity to the screws, shoulders for arresting the matrices at a forward inclination upon said rails at a point in advance of but closely adjacent the screws, and a reciprocating finger for lifting the matrices endwise successively above the shoulders so that they may escape by gravity into position to be picked up by the screws.

1%. In a typographical distributing mech anism, the combination of a distributor bar, a set of matrix conveying screws, guide rails along which the matrices pass facewise by gravity to the screws, shoulders for arresting the matrices at a forward inclination upon said rails at a point in advance of but closely adjacent the screws, a reciprocating finger for lifting the matrices endwise snccessively above the shoulders so that they may escape by gravity into position to be picked up by the screws, and inclined surfaces leading from the arresting shoulders and upon which the released matrices pass to the pick-up position.

In testimony whereof, I have aflixed my signature hereto.

DAVID S. KENNEDY. 

